Don't take this the wrong way, this is constructive criticism. So in one hand you are saying your shoppers WANT to be part of a membership and on the other hand you are saying that you give them great customer service, but not listening to what they really want, to feel loyal to your store. They are not saying they want something for free, they are saying that they want to belong to your store, like they belong to their field. Basically you are telling them, we already give you great prices and great service, keep your pie hole closed, this is our shop not yours. Give them what they want or at least meet them in the middle, that's good customer service, now what you think is good for them.

That's why you beat them at their own game and create the "select" product discounts, which are basically the same items you would put on discount or sale, for AMA members only. Just like that guy was saying with the gas, brilliant. Or just random products, like fuel and batteries. Everyone needs fuel and batteries and even glue right? Well if you only have a specific amount of products already discounted for AMA members, they really have nothing to complain about, they are all getting a discount on something, if they are AMA members. And then offer sale products for everyone else.

Like I said, it works for EAA and AOPA in our "hobby shops", why wouldn't it work in theirs? Think of some of the positive aspects, they are there. Like wouldn't a hobby shop want to encourage AMA growth? This is exactly why the EAA and AOPA encourages Sporty's, FBO's and pilot shops, to discount with these cards, they are creating their own loyal customers with 1. A card carrying member, which to most is worth more then money (statistically proven) 2. Someone who committed to signing up to fly for a certain range of time 3. More pilots 4. More customers 5. More money. It doesn't have to be much, just a few "everyday" or at the very least training items. It's not like your discriminating, your trying to bring more AMA members together, you'll be town heroes.

Hey I know first hand about how hobby shops think outside the box, I walk into my hobby shop it's like I stepped into the twilight zone. I mean it really looks like 1939, no joke. But this is why WalMart and big box stores are kicking the crap out of hobby shops and it's growing every day. The more AirHogs planes we see advancing to higher skill levels, the more we'll see another hobby shop shut it's doors, been happening to other niche markets for a couple decades. Hobby shops are in big trouble in some areas due to internet prices and what's happening out there, it's time you guys think outside the box and that's just one shoppers opinion to a hobby shop employee. Take it with a grain of salt if you want.